The Expat Files - 06/08/12

-Most expats want to help to poor Latins who are living on the edge or worse. But we don’t exactly know what kind of help would benefit them the most. What can we give or do for them that would permanently improve their condition? (Not the usual govt or first world feel-good giveaways please!) Now for some cheap, easy, satisfying ideas for first world do-gooders who really want to see some progress.

-Because of poor basic hygiene and unsanitary food preparation techniques, half or more of the lower and middle class Latin population are infected with intestinal parasites and don’t even know it. The question is; why they can live like that and not feel any obvious ill effects? Well that’s due to the volumes of hot peppers, chiles, garlic and spices they consume- all foods with high anti-parasitic activity(and locals are blissfully unaware of that fact too).

-Are Latin American beaches safe for swimming or not? How dirty and polluted are they, and what kind of water quality do they have? You’ll be surprised.

-If Latin American waters are so polluted, then you shouldn’t eat the seafood either right? Well here’s the scoop on that conundrum too!

-The sorry, sad state of Lake Nicaragua, one of the biggest most scenic and most terribly polluted lakes in all of Latin America.

-One new spot may have opened up in my Latin Insider’s seminar (in late June). If you want to attend please email me ASAP at theexpatfiles@gmail.com put the word “Seminar” in the subject line to reserve that place.